This time last year, Kyle Busch was in the process of becoming a modern day Lazarus, embarking on an insane winning streak that would culminate in him winning the Sprint Cup championship in fine style after a long term injury.
Encouragingly, Kurt Busch’s also won in last season’s summer meet at Brooklyn, but he is not proving exceptionally popular with the majority of managers.
GROUP A
Instead, much favour is being shown towards the two drivers who are usually synonymous with consistency and composure – namely, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson.
Harvick is proving marginally the more popular of the two, but it is worth noting that the psychological edge may lie with Johnson when comparing the rival merits of this duo. While Harvick is winless here, Johnson won the corresponding event two years ago, yet his recent form is unimpressive. A podium finish in Charlotte transpired to be another false dawn, with Hendrick’s so-called top boy ending up 35th last time out.
With no clear favourite for victory lane, this weekend represents Johnson’s best chance of regaining some lost form, and he can normally be counted on to react well in high pressure situations. By selecting Johnson in the starter berth, ground can be gained on at least 3% of rival managers in the event of Johnson bettering the finish of Harvick – who incidentally sits proudly atop the standings.
Harvick will be more of an asset in the Chase phase, so reserving the 2014 champ for later races should also be considered if starter berths are running short.
In the reserve berth, Dale Earnhardt Jr is this week’s Group A pick. He has yet to book his place in the Chase round, but ran well in Pocono after a recent sequence of poor results, eventually finishing 2nd behind Kurt Busch in a frantic finish.
GROUP B
A 2nd place finish in Dover has ignited Kyle Larson’s season, with the #42 driver being in the periphery of the top ten for the two races that followed the final spring meet. Larson managed an eighth place finish in the corresponding two years ago, in what was his first experience of summer action in Brooklyn, proving that he can perform at the track when required.
In the other starter berth for Group B, Ryan Newman comes into this weekend on the back of two top ten finishes in four weeks, and is a popular pick despite being winless in this event since 2004. He should be considered this week’s ‘safety’ option.
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GROUP C
Many managers will be feeling the frustration and despair that can only come with seeing the figure “0” next to Chase Elliott’s remaining starter berths.
After a disastrous Daytona opener, Elliott has gone from strength to strength in the #24 car, and is currently lying a very respectable seventh in the standings.
Assuming that all allocations have now been burnt through, Ryan Blaney is the natural successor to Chase Elliott, with Ty Dillon’s growing popularity seeing him become a more regular feature in the reserve berth of Group C.
For the latest standings and statistics, visit Motorsport24.com
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